Japan Gelato Market

Japan Gelato Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Japan Gelato Market Size Was Estimated at USD 987.5 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of Around 7.45% from 2025 to 2035
• The Japan Gelato Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 2177.6 Million by 2035

According to a research report published by Decision Advisor & Consulting, Japan Gelato Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 2177.6 Million by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 7.45% from 2025 to 2035. The gelato market in Japan is driven by increased customer taste for artisanal and low-fat frozen sweets, growing cafe culture, flavor innovation, and the availability of gelato in more urban retail and foodservice establishments.

Market Overview

The Japan Gelato Market Size is the area of the frozen dessert sector that specializes in Italian-style ice cream created with natural ingredients, a dense texture, and less fat. It is sold through artisanal gelaterias, cafés, restaurants, and retail establishments. Driven by an increase in consumer interest and demand for premium frozen desserts, the Japan gelato market will continue to grow. As more consumers gain access to artisanal high-quality foods made from natural ingredients, gelato's lower fat content, dense texture, and natural ingredients match Japan consumers' desire for sophisticated taste, portion control, and healthiness in their indulgence. Japan is helping to develop gelato through small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and food company grants. One of METI's subsidies for IT implementation embraces the costs up to 50% (≈¥4.5 million), whereas the business restructuring subsidy provides money ranging from ¥1 million to ¥100 million, plus support for new product development. The regional revitalization grants (¥1–10 million) and tourism promotion programs are also a source of support for artisanal gelato producers and cafés. The future of the market looks bright with the introduction of plant-based and low-sugar gelato, the incorporation of local and seasonal ingredients, and the opening up of convenience stores and premium retail channels as pathways to the consumers. Recent changes in the market include the opening of new artisanal gelato shops and the introduction of novel flavors in the country's major cities.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the Japan gelato market based on various segments and regions, and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the Japan gelato market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies, such as expansion, product launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition, have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the Japan gelato market.

Driving Factors

The Japan Gelato Market Size is driven by a rise in urbanization, an increase in disposable income, and a propensity for trying foods from other countries. Also expect more innovation in flavors, using local and/or seasonal ingredients, more specialty dessert shops will exist, and new tourists will contribute to an increase in the overall number of people consuming gelato and increasing sales each year. As more people become aware of the health benefits of natural/plant-based/low sugar gelato, further sustains the ongoing market growth in Japan's larger cities.

Restraining Factors

The gelato market size in Japan is mostly constrained by modernization of the industry, increasing production and storage costs, reliance on an effective cold chain, seasonal demand fluctuation, limited consumer knowledge in areas outside of urban centers, and increased competition from manufactured ice cream and other types of manufactured frozen desserts.

Market Segmentation

The Japan gelato market share is classified into source, flavour, and distribution channel.

• The dairy-based segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The Japan gelato market is segmented by source into dairy-based, and plant-based. Among these, the dairy-based segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is owing to the fact that consumers still choose traditional gelato prepared from milk and cream because of its rich flavor, creamy texture, and good compatibility with the classic and premium flavor profiles that artisanal gelaterias and cafés throughout Japan offer.

• The fruits & berries segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The Japan gelato market is segmented by flavour into vanilla, chocolate, fruits & berries, nuts, and others. Among these, the fruits & berries segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Strong customer preferences for seasonal, natural, and refreshing flavors like strawberry, mango, yuzu, and fruits steeped with matcha are the driving force behind this. The increasing demand for fruit-based gelato options is further supported by Japan's emphasis on high-quality ingredients, reduced sweetness, and health-conscious consumption.

• The food service segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The Japan gelato market is segmented by distribution channel into retail, online, offline, and food service. Among these, the food service segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is because customers choose freshly made gelato at artisanal gelaterias, cafés, restaurants, and dessert establishments. Demand through food service channels is greatly influenced by the expansion of café culture, tourism, and upscale dining experiences.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Japan gelato market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborate analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Akagi Nyugyo Co., Ltd.
• Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.
• Meiji Co., Ltd.
• Lotte Co., Ltd.
• Gelateria Margarita
• Donatello’s Japan
• Gelato Naturale Japan
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Developments:

• In December 2025, Gelato Pique Café introduced its new gelato café in Shibuya Hikarie on December 19, expanding the dessert café footprint further.
• In October 2025, Gelato Kitchen NOA opened a new specialty store for gelato on Harajuku's famous Takeshita Street on October 6.
• In October 2025, the "GELATO COLLECTION 2025" festival kicked off in Tokyo on October 19, with the country's best artisan gelatos.
• In June 2025, Häagen-Dazs Japan announced the launch date of their new limited-edition creamy gelato flavors, June 24.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the Japan, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Decision Advisor has segmented the Japan gelato market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Japan Gelato Market, By Source

• Dairy-based
• Plant-based

Japan Gelato Market, By Flavour

• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Fruits & Berries
• Nuts
• Others

Japan Gelato Market, By Distribution Channel

• Retail
• Online
• Offline
• Food Service

FAQ’s

Q: What is the Japan gelato market size?

A: Japan gelato market size is expected to grow from USD 987.5 million in 2024 to USD 2177.6 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7.45% during the forecast period 2025-2035. 

Q: What are the key growth drivers of the market?

A: Market growth is driven by a rise in urbanization, an increase in disposable income, and a propensity for trying foods from other countries. Also expect more innovation in flavors, using local and/or seasonal ingredients, more specialty dessert shops will exist, and new tourists will contribute to an increase in the overall number of people consuming gelato and increasing sales each year. As more people become aware of the health benefits of natural/plant-based/low sugar gelato, further sustains the ongoing market growth in Japan's larger cities.

Q: What factors restrain the Japan gelato market?

A: Constraints include the modernization of the industry, increasing production and storage costs, reliance on an effective cold chain, seasonal demand fluctuation, limited consumer knowledge in areas outside of urban centers, and increased competition from manufactured ice cream and other types of manufactured frozen desserts.

Q: How is the market segmented by source type?

A: The market is segmented into dairy-based, and plant-based.

Q: Who are the key players in the Japan gelato market?

A: Key companies include Akagi Nyugyo Co., Ltd., Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Meiji Co., Ltd., Lotte Co., Ltd., Gelateria Margarita, Donatello’s Japan, Gelato Naturale Japan, and Others.

Q: Who are the target audiences for this market report?

A: The report targets market players, investors, end-users, government authorities, consulting and research firms, venture capitalists, and value-added resellers (VARs).